Triathlon stars set sights on SEA Games, Asiad

Kim Mangrobang—GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Kim Mangrobang hasn’t stopped from keeping herself in competitive form despite the infrequent number of races these days.

Triathlon chief Tom Carrasco said the two-time reigning women’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champion has been staying in Portugal, training under Portuguese coach Sergio Santos and joining the local races whenever possible.

Carrasco said Fernando Casares has set up camp in Madrid, Spain, and Kim Kilgroe is in Los Angeles, California, whipping themselves up in shape and looking ahead at big races such as the Asia Cup series.

“They have been joining races in their respective areas, with Kim and Fer in Portugal and nearby Spain, while Kilgroe races in the California area,’’ said Carrasco, president of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP).

The three elite triathletes have been bracing for a hectic racing timetable next year, along with Cebuano Kim Remolino and SEA Games men’s champion John Chicano, who are both training locally.

All of them are looking forward to the SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, in March and the Asian Games (Asiad) in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 10 to 25.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino said host Vietnam would announce this week the exact schedule of the SEA Games.

“The members of the national pool continue to train by club and area. There are attempts by some local organizers to do events, but we will be selective. Only those with IATF permits will be considered by the national team members,’’ said Carrasco.

Filipino triathletes have been asserting their mastery of the swim-bike-run event in the SEA Games, sweeping the men’s and women’s titles along with the silver medals for the past three editions since 2015 in Singapore.

Carrasco said TRAP is planning to hold duathlon trials at the Clark parade ground in Pampanga on Dec. 12 in a semi-bubble environment. INQ